Where the Axe is Buried

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About this listen

All systems fail. All societies crumble. All worlds end.

Nebula Award, Ray Bradbury Prize and Arthur C. Clarke Award finalist and Hugo and Locus Award winner Ray Nayler returns with a gripping technological thriller.

'A fast-paced dystopian thriller' - SFX Magazine

'First-rate science fiction' - Cory Doctorow

'As much a novel of ideas as it is a techno-thriller . . . A more erudite and emotionally engaging Philip K Dick' - Irish Times

In a familiar yet different Europe governed by AI, life is more efficient, objective, and peaceful. Yet all is not as it seems. Meanwhile, at Europe's eastern edge, the Federation endures under the rule of a President who has preserved his power by transferring his consciousness from body to body.

As both worlds begin to crumble, Lilia, a Federation scientist, discovers a way to slip the nets of surveillance and alter the balance of power. On the run, she becomes the reluctant centre of a struggle between resistance and control. Yet the systems and people surrounding her may already be beyond redemption. Is there any way to put humanity's future back in its own hands?©2025 Ray Nayler

Ray NaylerEunice WongWeidenfeld & Nicolson

Computer Science

Genre Fiction

Literary Fiction

Machine Theory & Artificial Intelligence

Science Fiction

Technothrillers

Thriller & Suspense

Computer Science Genre Fiction Literary Fiction Machine Theory & Artificial Intelligence Science Fiction Technothrillers Thriller & Suspense

Critic reviews

Roll over, George Orwell: This post-apocalyptic dystopia makes Airstrip One look like a summer camp. Nayler's sophomore novel is set in a familiar future world in which totalitarian orders rule, with recognisably Putinesque touches in what's called the (né Russian) Federation, not least an autocratic ruler who's been running the show for decades . . . A richly detailed evocation of a grim future that is, sadly, absolutely believable

Nayler's twisting, turning political thriller has spectacular surprises, grounded by realistic, complex characters who are determined to change their world, however hopeless it may seem. A bold, epic SF story and an inspiring tale about taking down all forms of authoritarianism

Already a Hugo and Locus award winner, Nayler's third offering is as much a novel of ideas as it is a techno-thriller, and fully delivers on both counts. A more erudite and emotionally engaging Philip K Dick, Nayler thrives on technology's potential, but roots his story very firmly in human fragilities. (Declan Burke)

An intense, claustrophobic novel . . . A work of first-rate science fiction

This thought-provoking, fast-moving thriller is also a heartfelt call for resistance to oppressive regimes

Ray Nayler follows up two excellent ecological SF novels with this fast-paced dystopian thriller (Will Salmon)

There's a lot to chew on here . . . [And it's] worth the effort

A book that warns and makes you think . . . It has things to say and does so extremely well . . . One of my best reads of 2025 (Mark Yon)

Most relevant

A rarity is Sf / dystopian fiction - a masterful creation of an all too possible future combined with characters that are really likeable. Best book of 2025 so far for me!